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. 2016 Mar;72(3):283-94.
doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2015.12.014. Epub 2016 Jan 4.

Risk factors for Group B Streptococcus colonisation and disease in Gambian women and their infants

K Le Doare  1 , S Jarju  2 , S Darboe  3 , F Warburton  4 , A Gorringe  5 , P T Heath  6 , B Kampmann  7
Affiliations

Risk factors for Group B Streptococcus colonisation and disease in Gambian women and their infants

K Le Doare et al. J Infect. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine risk factors for GBS colonisation in Gambian mothers and in their infants from birth to day 60-89 of age.

Methods: Swabs and breastmilk from mothers/infant pairs were collected and cultured on selective agar. Negative samples were analysed for GBS DNA via real-time PCR. Positive isolates were serotyped using multiplex PCR and gel-agarose electrophoresis.

Results: Seven hundred and fifty women/infant pairs were recruited. 253 women (33.7%) were GBS-colonised at delivery. The predominant serotypes were: V (55%), II (16%), III (10%), Ia (8%) and Ib (8%). 186 infants were colonised (24.8%) at birth, 181 (24.1%) at 6 days and 96 at day 60-89 (14%). Infants born before 34 weeks of gestation and to women with rectovaginal and breastmilk colonisation at delivery had increased odds of GBS colonisation at birth. Season of birth was associated with increased odds of persistent infant GBS colonisation (dry season vs. wet season AOR 2.9; 95% CI 1.6-5.2).

Conclusion: GBS colonisation is common in Gambian women at delivery and in their infants to day 60-89 and is dominated by serotype V. In addition to maternal colonisation, breastmilk and season of birth are important risk factors for infant GBS colonisation.

Keywords: Group B Streptococcus; Immunity; Neonatal infection; Vaccines.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
a – infant GBS colonisation status over time. Bars represent percentage of infants colonised at each of the time points; black bar = birth, grey = day 6 and patterned = three months. b – breastmilk colonisation over time. Bars represent percentage of infants colonised at each of the time points; black bar = birth, grey = day 6 and patterned = three months.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Colonising serotype distribution by isolation site and time point. Maternal rectovaginal colonisation at delivery; breastmilk and infant colonisation by time point; BM = breastmilk; Ia = serotype Ia, Ib = serotype Ib, II = serotype II, III = serotype III, V = serotype V.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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